KZN businesswoman held captive for a month rescued, 7 arrested

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a Chinese businesswoman who was held captive for more than a month in KZN.

According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, the 46-year-old woman was kidnapped on September 30 when she was closing her bottle store in Kokstad.

Her family paid over R300 000 for her release but the kidnappers did not release her. Instead, they demanded more money.

“She was taken together with her security guard in her vehicle which was later found abandoned [in the] Bhongweni area in Kokstad. The security guard was dropped off in the vicinity and the suspects disappeared with the victim.”

A case of kidnapping was reported at the Kokstad Police Station and the case docket was allocated to the Hawks for investigation.

“The following day, suspects made a phone call demanding a ransom of R15m. After long negotiations, R305 000 was paid to the suspects but they did not release the victim as agreed,” he says.

Mhlongo says the suspects contacted the family of the victim again and demanded another ransom of R1.2m.

Hawks arrested one suspect last Wednesday. After the arrest of the female suspect, police were led to the location of the businesswoman where she was found and rescued on Wednesday.

“She was taken to hospital for medical examination and more suspects were arrested thereafter,” Mhlongo says.

The suspects are expected to appear in the Kokstad Magistrate’s Court today.

Police said more arrests are expected.